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Letter: Buddy Poppies improve the lives of veterans, families

By Bertha Sperr and Joan Kopacekfrom Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 5039 on May 2, 2014 at 4:03 p.m.

When you are asked to donate for a Buddy Poppy card or a Buddy Poppy during the upcoming campaign in this community, do it with a big smile on your face.

Remember that it is the most grateful investment of your money you can ever make!

Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Charles Leuthard Post 5039 will be distributing Buddy Poppies in the area from May 5 through 10. VFW by-laws require that the proceeds from our distribution of Buddy Poppies must be used to benefit disabled and needy veterans and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

Our local auxiliary has donated this past year to veterans homes and hospitals in Fergus Falls, St. Cloud and outpatient clinics at Montevideo and Alexandria, the VA home, Fisher House and Prodigal House in Minneapolis and the VA Medical Center in Fargo. With funds from Buddy Poppies, we have purchased sewing needs for our sewers who last year sewed over 100 bed throws, tote bags, laundry bags, neck pillows for our local veterans and spouses at West Wind Village, St. Cloud Medical Center, and Fergus Falls Veterans Home. Funds were also used for a birthday party at West Wind Village, a bingo party for residents at Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, Operation Uplink, Armed Forces Center at the Airport, etc. The VFW National Home at Eaton Rapids, MI, receives money from sales of Buddy Poppies. The National Home is for military families in need of living quarters and financial help.

Every step in the production and sale of the Buddy Poppy serves a useful purpose. The poppies are assembled by needy and disabled veterans at VA hospitals who are paid for their work; the income to the state and national organizations help provide needed services to disabled veterans, their widows and orphans; the income to the auxiliary is used entirely for aid to needy veterans and families. The wearing of the Buddy Poppy on Memorial Day symbolizes the nation’s grief for its departed heroes.

You have been a very generous community in the past and we do appreciate it very much. When our Buddy Poppy sisters visit you, we hope you will continue with that good support. With more veterans entering the hospitals and homes, the needs are becoming greater each year. Especially with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, more military are in the hospitals with wounds and other problems.

Be proud of your poppy. It is a symbol of the memory of those who have given their lives for their country and a symbol of concern and compassion for those who are disabled. Never forget our veterans.